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Sunday, September 29, 2013

Basics of Storytelling: Becoming a Storyteller

BECOMING
A STORYTELLER

Every person has the potential to be
a storyteller. There are no “born
tellers” – only people with differing levels of gifts in sharing human
experiences. Everyone is already involved in the process of story sharing every
time they share their experiences, recount historic events, tell a funny
anecdote, and share core values. All
these individuals need to become intentional story bearers is for them to make
the decision that they will learn to do it better, with greater self-confidence
and skill.

WHAT
STORIES ARE BEST FOR ORAL TELLING?

Family history
stories, magazines, newspapers.

Events from
your childhood or personal experiences

Folktales,
fairy tales, myths and history books

Simple picture
storybooks

WHERE
DO YOU FIND SOURCES FOR STORIES?

The 398.2 area
of the library

The picture
book area of the library or a bookstore

Older family
members or people in the community

Newspaper
articles, old magazines

Historical
events, oral histories, or biographies of historical people

HOW
DO I LEARN AND TELL A STORY?

Find a story
you really like (you will be living with it for awhile)

Become
familiar with the story (read it several times)and any different versions

Picture in
your mind the major parts of the story in the beginning, middle, and end.

Practice
telling it to yourself. Repeat
adding details. Repeat until story is firmly in your mind.

Basics
of Telling A Story /A
story that is told can be 1-15 min. long, however, most stories are in the 3
to 10 minute range. The teller stands
before an audience and speaks to convey a story that has a beginning, a
middle, and an end; variations include sitting and moving among the audience. Microphones may be needed in some settings. Teller introduces them self, names the
story or shares the theme; if using another’s work proper credit is
given. The teller speaks clearly and
varies tone, emphasis and volume for interest to the listener.

Listen,
Read, View and Analyze /Review folklore in books in the library (they are
usually found in the 398.2-398.29 area), listen to tellers in person and on
audio tape/CD, watch tellers in person or on a video. What makes them successful? What did you like? What did you not like? What works?

Themes
/A
good story will have usually a universal theme: hope, love, courage,
survival, redemption, self-discovery, community values, respect, justice,
peace, family, etc.

Enhancing
the story /The
story experience can be enhanced through the addition of repetitions within
the story, participation, chants, songs, sounds, music, props, visuals,
costume, or dance. Additionally,
puppets (from simple hand creations to complex shadow or marionettes) have
been a traditional favorite for some.

Characters
/Most
stories revolve around a character (hero, protagonist, counterpoint). A good story has a memorable and
sympathetic figure with which the listener can care and empathize. The character is the “everyman” of the
medieval street theater and yet unique enough to peak interest.

Support
Groups /Join
or, if none exists, form a support group.
Focus should be on helping other tellers, self-improvement, and the active, frequent sharing of
stories. Avoid groups where there is
no opportunity for telling, learning, or where the atmosphere is elitist.

STORY
FRIENDS

Connecting with others who like to listen
to, create, or share stories. Many organizations
exist to help the beginning storyteller.
Some of the major ones are listed below, and some specific to
Oklahoma.

Joining with other tellers is an excellent
way to improve your craft, especially if the groups can answer the
following: Are there educational
opportunities to improve my skills? Are there performance opportunities so that
I can hone my delivery and stage presence? Is the group supportive and willing
to help new tellers?